BLUF: State Department issues new travel warning for Mexico on Friday. This concurs with this weekend assessment regarding Mexico's internal security outlook.
Impact: US employees and American citizens traveling to or living in Mexico should remain more vigilant amidst threat of increasing violence from drug gangs
Vr K9

April 22, 2011

The warning was issued Friday morning and warns American citizens about the latest trends in drug cartel violence south of the border.
The State Department reports that crime and drug cartel violence is not generally seen in tourist destinations and resorts but nonetheless urges caution.
There are specific warnings and security updates for several states across Mexico.

The State Department is asking Americans to defer non-essential travel to the entire State of Tamaulipas due to drug cartel roadblocks or blockades.
State Department officials report that the worst blockades are in and around Nuevo Laredo.

Also on the list is Federal Highway 2 between Ciudad Acuņa and Reynosa.

Travel is restricted for American federal government employees between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey.

The warning comes out one day after the Tamaulipas Attorney General's Office (PGJE) confirms 177 bodies have been found in 36 narco graves in the San Fernando area.
The State Department specifically named highways in and around San Fernando and Tampico due to carjackings there.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros had issued a warning about passenger bus travel in Tamaulipas reporting that passengers are being kidnapped and killed.

Citing official figures, the advisory said over 15,000 drugs-related killings were reported in Mexico last year and this marked almost a two-third rise compared with those in 2009. In recent years the number of US nationals killed in Mexico has more than tripled with 111 lives lost in 2010, up from 35 recorded in 2007.